Essential Current Account

Where to manage your account

You can bank with us at your local Virgin Money Store. You can also access your account at any Post Office branch, and we offer some services online, over the phone and by post.

The table below shows where you can go to manage your account:

Service	Store¹	Post Office	Cash Machine	Online²	Phone	Post
Check account balance	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	-
Check recent transactions	Yes	-	-	Yes	Yes	-
Check Direct Debits & standing orders^[3]	Yes	-	-	Yes	Yes	-
Cash withdrawal in pounds in the UK (maximum)	Yes £2,000	Yes ^[7] £500	Yes ^[7] £500	-	-	-
Pay cash in (maximum)	Yes	Yes £5,000	-	-	-	-
Pay cheques in	Yes	-	-	-	-	Yes
Sending money within the UK by Faster Payments (maximum)	Yes £100,000	-	-	-	Yes ^[4] £10,000	Yes £100,000
Set up or change standing orders	Yes	-	-	-	Yes ^[5]	Yes
Cancel standing orders and Direct Debits	Yes	-	-	-	Yes	Yes
Make changes to your account	Yes	-	-	-	Yes ⁶	Yes

[1] Not all Stores offer cash services - check whether your local Store does with our Store Finder.

[2] You can only view your account online if you are a resident in the UK.

[3] Direct Debit is a UK only service.

[4] You can only make a Faster Payment over the phone if you have used the same payment details before. New payments will need to be set up in Store.

[5] You can change the date, amount or frequency of an existing standing order over the phone.

[6] You can only change certain information over the phone - for more details, please call us or visit your local Virgin Money Store.

[7] For joint accounts, the £500 daily cash limit is shared between both account holders. You can only withdraw £500 from the Post Office OR a cash machine. Note: If the account it a joint account, we will act on instructions given by either of you.

More about managing your account

To find out more about managing your account see our helpful guide.

Welcome guide for new customers (PDF, 2,460KB) Link opens in a new window

Frequently asked questions

Top queries

How can I pay money into my account?

You can pay money into your account by:

Cash

Visiting a Virgin Money Store Link opens in a new window and paying in your cash (note: 17 of our Stores do not accept cash).
Visiting a Post Office® and paying in your cash – £5,000 max for large branches and £1,000 at concessions.

Cheque

Visiting a Virgin Money Store Link opens in a new window and paying in your cheque(s).
Posting your cheque(s) to our registered main office:
Current Accounts
Virgin Money
Jubilee House
Gosforth
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE3 4PL

Please make cheques payable to 'Virgin Money for the account of (insert account holder(s) name(s))’. Please also write your account number on the back of the cheque(s).

Electronic payments

If you are sending money from another bank or building society, you will need to quote the following details:

Faster Payments / BACS (Bankers Automated Clearing Service)

Sort code: 08-60-64
Account number: your eight digit account number

Faster Payments are usually processed within a few hours, but can take up to one business day.

BACS transfers should reach your account within three business days after they are sent.

Please note, if you have a chequebook with your account, the sort code on your chequebook is different to the one on your debit card and you should not use it for other payments on your account. If you need to provide a sort code (e.g. to set up a Direct Debit or for someone to pay money into your account), please quote the one on your debit card – this is the same as the one at the top of your statement.

CHAPS transfer

Sort code: 08-02-65
Account number: Quote your 8 digit account number
Reference: Your Name
CHAPS transfers should reach your account the same day they are sent.

Other ways to pay money into your account

Bank Giro Credit.
Sending money from another account with us (subject to the terms and conditions of that account).

How can I withdraw money from my account?

You have instant access to your money with your Virgin Money Debit Card.

Make a cash withdrawal in pounds in the UK of up to £500 at a cash machine* or over the counter at over 11,000 Post Office branches nationwide.
Take out an additional £100 cashback at the till at participating retailers.
Please note that if you have a joint account, the £500 daily cash limit and the £100 cashback limit are shared between both account holders.
You can use your card to buy travellers’ cheques or foreign currency up to the balance in your account.

* Charges will apply outside of the UK.

For further details on using your debit card, please see the leaflet below.

Guide to your Virgin Money Debit Card PDF opens in a new window Link opens in a new window (PDF, 1,171KB)

You can also take money out of your account by:

Visiting a Virgin Money Store Link opens in a new window (not including our 17 non-cash Stores) and withdrawing cash (£2,000 limit).
Cheque (if a chequebook is provided with your account).
Standing order or Direct Debit.
Sending money within the UK by Faster Payments.
Sending money to another account you hold with us (subject to the terms and conditions of that account).
Sending money within the UK by CHAPS (Clearing House Automated Payment System). We charge a fee for this service – please see the question ‘What are the interest rates and charges?’ for details.

Remember, the sort code on your new chequebook is different to the one on your debit card – if you need to provide a sort code (e.g. to set up a Direct Debit), please quote the one on your card.

Can I use my debit card outside of the UK?

Please tell us before you travel abroad to help avoid any issues with using your card while you are away – you can call us on 0345 600 6103* or visit your local Virgin Money Store Link opens in a new window

You can make debit card payments in a foreign currency or make a cash withdrawal in foreign currency outside the UK, wherever you see the Mastercard logo. Just remember:

When you’re outside of the UK we won’t charge you to make a cash withdrawal. Some cash machine operators might charge you a fee, which they should display to you before you make the cash withdrawal.
The exchange rate for overseas transactions is determined by the card provider on the day they receive the transaction (which isn’t always the day you made the transaction). You can check the exchange rate used by visiting www.mastercard.com/global/currencyconversion
It is sensible to take other sources of money, not just your debit card.
From outside the UK you can call us on +44 191 279 4604* if you need to speak with us.

*We are here from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm on Saturdays and 10am to 3pm on Sundays. Calls to 03 numbers cost the same as calls to 01 or 02 numbers and they are included in inclusive minutes and discount schemes in the same way. Calls may be monitored and recorded.

How can I view my account balance?

Your Current Account offers many convenient ways to keep track of your balance and spending. You can find out your balance:

Online, by signing in to view your account**
In StoreLink opens in a new window
At most cash machines
At any Post Office®
By phone. 0345 600 6103.*

* We are here from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm on Saturdays and 10am to 3pm on Sundays. Calls to 03 numbers cost the same as calls to 01 or 02 numbers and they are included in inclusive minutes and discount schemes in the same way. Calls may be monitored and recorded.

** You can only view your account online if you are resident in the UK.

What are the charges?

To see the things we charge for, view our current account fees and charges.

What is the interest rate on my account?

Credit interest
(Payable on balances up to £100,000)

Gross¹ variable rate	AER²
0.25%	0.25%

We pay credit interest monthly and add this to your account on the 27th of each month.

¹ Gross is the rate of interest earned before income tax is deducted. Automatic deduction of tax on interest stopped on 6 April 2016. However, you may be liable to pay income tax on the interest you have earned, depending on your personal circumstances. Please contact HMRC or your applicable tax authority outside of the UK for further information or visit www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-savings-allowance-factsheet Link opens in a new window

² AER stands for Annual Equivalent Rate. It shows what the interest rate would be if interest was added each year to the account balance (including any interest already earned that year).

Virgin Money Current Account (previously opened with Northern Rock)

Please note, this account is closed to new applications.

The current interest rates that apply to your account are:

Credit interest

(Payable on balances of £1 or more)

Gross¹ variable rate	AER²
0.10%	0.10%

We pay credit interest monthly and add this to your account on the 27th of each month.

¹Gross is the rate of interest earned before income tax is deducted. Automatic deduction of tax on interest stopped on 6 April 2016. However, you may be liable to pay income tax on the interest you have earned, depending on your personal circumstances. Please contact HMRC or your applicable tax authority outside of the UK for further information or visit www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-savings-allowance-factsheetLink opens in a new window

² AER stands for Annual Equivalent Rate. It shows what the interest rate would be if interest was added each year to the account balance (including any interest already earned that year).

Changes to rates

We will give you at least two months’ notice of any change in writing. However, where a change in interest rates is to your advantage we will make it immediately and tell you at the earliest opportunity after the change (e.g. in writing, statement message or publication in our Stores or on our website).

Payments in and out of your account

How can I pay money into my account?

You can pay money into your account by:

Cash

Visiting a Virgin Money Store Link opens in a new window and paying in your cash (note: 17 of our Stores do not accept cash).
Visiting a Post Office® and paying in your cash – £5,000 max for large branches and £1,000 at concessions.

Cheque

Visiting a Virgin Money Store Link opens in a new window and paying in your cheque(s).
Posting your cheque(s) to our registered main office:
Current Accounts
Virgin Money
Jubilee House
Gosforth
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE3 4PL

Please make cheques payable to 'Virgin Money for the account of (insert account holder(s) name(s))’. Please also write your account number on the back of the cheque(s).

Electronic payments

If you are sending money from another bank or building society, you will need to quote the following details:

Faster Payments / BACS (Bankers Automated Clearing Service)

Sort code: 08-60-64
Account number: your eight digit account number

Faster Payments are usually processed within a few hours, but can take up to one business day.

BACS transfers should reach your account within three business days after they are sent.

CHAPS transfer

Sort code: 08-02-65
Account number: Quote your 8 digit account number
Reference: Your Name
CHAPS transfers should reach your account the same day they are sent.

Other ways to pay money into your account

Bank Giro Credit.
Sending money from another account with us (subject to the terms and conditions of that account).

How can I withdraw money from my account?

You have instant access to your money with your Virgin Money Debit Card.

Make a cash withdrawal in pounds in the UK of up to £500 at a cash machine* or over the counter at over 11,000 Post Office branches nationwide.
Take out an additional £100 cashback at the till at participating retailers.
Please note that if you have a joint account, the £500 daily cash limit and the £100 cashback limit are shared between both account holders.
You can use your card to buy travellers’ cheques or foreign currency up to the balance in your account.

* Charges will apply outside of the UK.

For further details on using your debit card, please see the leaflet below.

Guide to your Virgin Money Debit Card PDF opens in a new window Link opens in a new window (PDF, 1,171KB)

You can also take money out of your account by:

Visiting a Virgin Money Store Link opens in a new window (not including our 17 non-cash Stores) and withdrawing cash (£2,000 limit).
Cheque (if a chequebook is provided with your account).
Standing order or Direct Debit.
Sending money within the UK by Faster Payments.
Sending money to another account you hold with us (subject to the terms and conditions of that account).
Sending money within the UK by CHAPS (Clearing House Automated Payment System). We charge a fee for this service – please see the question ‘What are the interest rates and charges?’ for details.

Remember, the sort code on your new chequebook is different to the one on your debit card – if you need to provide a sort code (e.g. to set up a Direct Debit), please quote the one on your card.

How can I make sure Direct Debits*, standing orders and cheques are paid from my account?

You will need to have cleared funds in your account by 2pm on the day that a Direct Debit, standing order or cheque is due to be taken from your account, so that items can be paid.

If we are unable to make a payment due to lack of funds in your account, we will refuse this payment and the item will be returned unpaid.

*Direct Debit is UK only service.

How long do cheques take to clear?

There are some changes being made to the way we and other banks process cheques from October 2017. You can find out more below.

What is changing and when?

Instead of exchanging physical cheques, banks will exchange digital images of cheques, meaning the whole process will speed up. The changes will take about a year to roll out and implement across all UK banks.

What does this mean for me?

When writing a cheque to someone, the money may come out of your account a lot quicker than it does today. Therefore it is important to ensure that the funds are available in your account on the day the cheque is written. Similarly, when paying a cheque into your account from someone else, the funds may be available in your account a lot quicker. The exact number of days taken to clear a cheque will vary from bank to bank. The quickest will be two days, with the longest being six days.

How will I know if a cheque has cleared?

You’ll be able to get confirmation as to whether your cheque has cleared in the same way as you do today, by using our online service, checking at a cashpoint or by calling us on the best number below;

Current Accounts – 0345 600 6103
Savings Account (postal & Store) – 0345 600 7301
Savings Accounts (online) – 0345 608 1604
Mortgage Accounts – 0345 602 8301

Want to find out more?

You can find out more about the changes in this leaflet PDF opens in a new window Link opens in a new window (PDF, 1.74MB)

Using your Debit Card

Where can I use my debit card?

Your Virgin Money Debit Card offers a convenient way to access the money in your current account.

Make a debit card payment in pounds when shopping online, on the high street, over the phone and by post.
Free cash withdrawal’s in pounds in the UK of up to £500 at a cash machine* or over the counter at over 11,000 Post Office branches nationwide.
Take out an additional £100 cashback at the till at participating retailers.
Please note that if you have a joint account, the £500 daily cash limit and the £100 cashback limit are shared between both account holders.
You can use your card to buy travellers’ cheques or foreign currency up to the balance in your account.

For further details on using your debit card, please see the leaflet below.

Guide to your Virgin Money Debit Card PDF opens in a new window Link opens in a new window (PDF, 1,171KB)

* Charges will apply outside of the UK.

What if my debit card is lost or stolen?

If you think your card has been lost or stolen, you must tell us as soon as possible by calling us at any time on 0800 012 1512 (free of charge) (+44 191 279 4604 if calling from abroad).

Can I use my debit card outside of the UK?

You can make debit card payments in a foreign currency or make a cash withdrawal in foreign currency outside the UK, wherever you see the Mastercard logo. Just remember:

When you’re outside of the UK we won’t charge you to make a cash withdrawal. Some cash machine operators might charge you a fee, which they should display to you before you make the cash withdrawal.
The exchange rate for overseas transactions is determined by the card provider on the day they receive the transaction (which isn’t always the day you made the transaction). You can check the exchange rate used by visiting www.mastercard.com/global/currencyconversion
It is sensible to take other sources of money, not just your debit card.
From outside the UK you can call us on +44 191 279 4604* if you need to speak with us.

Questions about your account

How can I view my account balance?

Your Current Account offers many convenient ways to keep track of your balance and spending. You can find out your balance:

Online, by signing in to view your account**
In StoreLink opens in a new window
At most cash machines
At any Post Office®
By phone. 0345 600 6103.*

* We are here from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm on Saturdays and 10am to 3pm on Sundays. Calls to 03 numbers cost the same as calls to 01 or 02 numbers and they are included in inclusive minutes and discount schemes in the same way. Calls may be monitored and recorded.

** You can only view your account online if you are resident in the UK.

What are the charges?

To see the things we charge for, view our current account fees and charges.

How can I contact Virgin Money?

If you have any questions and would like to speak to us, please call us on 0345 600 6103* or if you are outside the UK +44 191 279 4604. Or, you can visit your local Virgin Money Store.

If you think your debit card has been lost or stolen, you think it may be misused or someone knows your PIN, you must tell us as soon as possible by calling us at any time on 0800 012 1512 (free of charge) (+44 191 279 4604 if calling from abroad).

You also need to tell us by calling 0345 600 6103* if someone who is not a permitted third party provider knows your card details, password or security information.

I have a question about my PIN number

I have entered the wrong PIN three times in a shop. How can I unlock it?

If you remember your PIN, you can unlock it at any cash machine, simply choose ‘Unlock PIN’.
If you can't remember your PIN, you can order a PIN reminder by calling us on 0345 600 6103.*

I have entered the wrong PIN three times at a cash machine. How can I unlock it?

You will need to order a PIN reminder by calling us on 0345 600 6103.* Once you have received this then just visit any cash machine and choose ‘Unlock PIN’ to get your card up and running again.

Can I change my PIN?

Yes, you can change it at any time at most cash machines. Follow the simple instructions on screen.

What is the interest rate on my account?